A special Student Enterprise Conference for more than 300 4th and 5th year second level pupils from schools throughout West Cork was hosted today by The West Cork Enterprise Board in the West Cork Hotel, Skibbereen, with Oscar-winning producer turned educationalist, Lord David Puttnam as keynote speaker.
The conference entitled “Leaders on Our Level” was held for senior students undertaking the West Cork Schools Enterprise Programme which sees them set up and run their own mini enterprises. A mix of entrepreneurs and motivational speakers led by Lord Puttnam spoke about their life and business experiences in a bid to help the students realise the possibilities which are open to them outside of the school gates.
Students were welcomed by Michael Hanley, CEO of the West Cork Enterprise Board and addressed by a diverse line-up of entrepreneurs including Ciara Crossan, Weddingdates.ie, Billy O'Connor, Discovery Partership, Ellie Redmond, Movie Junction Drive in Cinema and Attila Magyer, Mamukko bags. Topics covered included generating sales, becoming entrepreneurs, challenges in business and how to spot a good business idea and make it a success.
The Schools Enterprise programme has been in existence since 2004 with schools from West Cork gaining national recognition for their projects in the past. Throughout the programme, students are exposed to all the realities and challenges faced by entrepreneurs in every stage of business development from market research and production to sales and marketing.
Addressing the students at the conference, Lord David Puttnam told them, "You are the people the world has been waiting for. You hold the key to building the new foundations on which we can build a smarter economy and a more sustainable society. The world needs your generation to be more adaptable, smarter and better prepared for the challenges of everyday life and business life and this programme is one element which can help you to achieve this aim.”
He continued, "There is a whole world outside of the school gates and you have the ability to make it a better place by thinking more imaginatively and I urge you to use your abilities to create a better future not just for yourselves but for your region and the broader world."
Also speaking of the event, Michael Hanley, CEO, West Cork Enterprise Board said “Events such as this bring students into the business world where they are shown what the realities of running and managing their own business are. The enterprise programme is the first time in their school lives that they are given control of setting up something which they will own and run and this is extremely important for them to develop vital practical business skills which they would not otherwise have the opportunity to experience. I commend their teachers who partake in the programme to help their students realise their full potential and motivate them to think big for the future."
Each school will compete with their mini enterprises in the West Cork Schools Enterprise finals next February where one team will be chosen to represent the West Cork Enterprise Board and their school at the National Finals Croke Park.
Schools in attendance at the conference included Mount Saint Michael Rosscarbery, Rossa College, Skibbereen, Schull Community College, Beara Community School, Bantry Community College, Maria Immaculata Secondary School, Dunmanway, St. Brogan's College, Bandon, St. Fachtna's de la Salle Skibbereen, and Clonakilty Community College.
